Inside Our Present Simple Exercises: 180 Questions, 9 Sets, One Clear Path

February 6, 2026·by Peter

present-simple tenses exercises learning-path

Present Simple is where English grammar begins. It's also where many learners get stuck — not because it's hard, but because they practice randomly without a clear path.

We designed 9 exercise sets (180 questions total) with a specific learning sequence. Here's what's inside and why it's structured this way.

The Learning Path

Sets 1-2: Start with "Be"

The verb "be" (am/is/are) is different from every other verb in English. It doesn't use "do/does" for questions. It has three forms instead of two. It breaks all the rules.

That's why we start here.

Set	Focus	What You'll Practice
Set 1	Be: Affirmative & Negative	I am, she is, they are, he isn't, we aren't
Set 2	Be: Questions & Answers	Are you...? Is she...? Yes, I am. No, she isn't.

Common mistake we target:

❌ "Yes, I'm." → ✅ "Yes, I am."

Short answers don't use contractions in the positive form. Our exercises drill this until it becomes automatic.

Sets 3-4: Third Person -s

Once "be" clicks, we move to regular verbs. The big challenge? Remembering to add -s for he/she/it.

Set	Focus	What You'll Practice
Set 3	Adding -s	She works. He plays. It costs.
Set 4	Spelling Changes	watch → watches, study → studies, go → goes

Why a whole set for spelling?

Because "she studys" and "he gos" are everywhere. The rules aren't hard — verbs ending in -ch/-sh/-x/-o add -es, consonant + y becomes -ies — but they need focused practice.

Sets 5-6: Negatives & Questions

Now we add do/does. This is where many learners struggle, because:

You need doesn't (not "don't") for he/she/it
The main verb goes back to base form: "She doesn't work" (not ~~doesn't works~~)

Set	Focus	What You'll Practice
Set 5	Negatives	I don't like. She doesn't work.
Set 6	Questions	Do you speak...? Does she live...?

The pattern we reinforce:

do/does + base verb (no -s!)

Set 7: Frequency Adverbs

Always, usually, sometimes, never — these words are Present Simple's best friends. But where do they go?

Position	Rule	Example
Before main verb	She always arrives on time.	✅
After "be"	He is always late.	✅

Set 7 focuses entirely on word order with frequency adverbs — a detail that separates natural English from textbook English.

Set 8: Stative Verbs

Some verbs can't use -ing. Ever.

❌ "I'm knowing the answer." ✅ "I know the answer."

Set 8 covers mental states (know, believe, understand), emotions (love, hate, want), and possession (have, own, belong). These verbs only work in Present Simple.

Set 9: Putting It All Together

The final set mixes everything in real-life contexts:

Daily routines: "I wake up at 7. She takes the bus."
Facts & truths: "Water boils at 100°C. The Earth moves around the Sun."
Timetables: "The train leaves at 9 AM. School starts in September."

Set 9 is where you prove you've got it.

Quick Stats

Metric	Value
Total questions	180
Exercise sets	9
Difficulty range	A1 → A2
Estimated time	~2 hours total

How to Use These Exercises

If you're a beginner: Go in order. Sets 1-2 first, then 3-4, and so on. Don't skip ahead.

If you want to review: Jump to your weak spot. Mixing up "do" and "does"? Go straight to Sets 5-6.

If you're a teacher: Each set works as a standalone practice unit. Assign them to match your lesson plan.

Ready to start? Begin with Set 1 →

Or read the full Present Simple lesson first.